THREE MEN AND A MAID.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 13636, 15 April 1908, Page 6

THREE MEN AND A MAID.

BY ROBERT FRASER.

[COPYRIGHT.]

Published by Special Arrangement.

CHAPTER XV.— Continued

James had not to wait long for his refreshment. Then, to make sure, he drew the inner blinds, as he was alone, and gave himself seriously to think. As usual, he i^as fastidiously dressed. A dandy always, the mourning he wore ifor Robert was in the height of fashion. IHe glanced at a portmanteau on the rack overhead/ and was in a mind to open it, but forebore. Then he remembered that the attendant was a tall man, nearly his own height. He waited until the train had left Grantham — that was an admirable trait in his character, he could wait — and rang the electric bell.

The same steward came.

"By the way," said James, "do you go off duty when we reach London?" "Yes, sir." "It is beastly cold and damp in town, I suppose?'* "It was rather rotten, sir, when 1 kern away yesterday." "Ah 1 . "Then you have a stout overcoat, and perhaps a cap, on the train?" "Yes, sir." The man grinned, wondering what this pleasant-spoken gent was a-gettin' at. ''Well, you see this coat and hat of mine?"

"Why, yes, sir." '"If you will exchange your lot for mine, 1 shall give you two pounds into the bargain." The grin faded, to be replaced by a glint of suspicion in the sharp Cockney eyes. Attendants on main line expresses encounter all sorts and conditions of- men, and the request sajvoured of anxiety to be disguised. "Yes," said Jktnes, reading the open page of the man's face, "I wish to conceal my presence on the train from a person whose movements I mean to watch. That is all. I have offered you an excellent bargain. Of course, if it doesn't appeal to you, there is nothing more to be said." His apparent lack of keenness for the deal acted like magic on the steward. The grin returned. "D'ye really mean it, sir?" he asked.

"Here are my coat and hat — and the two sovereigns," said James, putting his hand in nis pocket. "I'll be back directly, sir. But— my togs are, rather " '"Bring them." Thus it came about that few people would recognise the ultra-fastidious James Courthope in the seedy-looking person wrapped in a greenish-black frayed overcoat, with the collar turned up and wearing an old deer-stalker cap pulled down well over his brows, jwho rushed to secure a hansom at | King's Cross, threw his bag inside, told the driver to wait, and then mixed with the throng of hurrying passengers. Another man, whose only remarkable feature was a pair of very sharp jeyes^ was hastening up the line of i waiting cabs and omnibuses. He seemecT to be interested in the eager directions of passengers to drivers, land had a glance for labels on luggage too. Hence, he saw the word l"Hudaton," the relic of some short I journey in Yorkshire, on Courthope's portmanteau, and he also saw the letters " u J.p." stamped on the leather. Then he took in the fact that the [owner of the initials wore verni boots, trousers of good material and style, I but a coat and cap that were monstrous, in comparison. In fact he would not have been Mr. Winter's most trusted subordinate if he missed any of these unimportant things. "By gad!" he said, "that's odd," and his scrutiny of others ceased, ail his attention being given to Courthope. Hence, \vhen James listened to Philip shouting to a cabman, far down the line, to drive him quickly to Turner Studios, in the Finchley Road, the stranger listened also. "When James darted back to his own cab, which was better placed in the lino than Philip's, and told the driver that if he reached Turner Studios, Finchley Road, in ten minutes under time he would earn a sovereign, his shadow murmured afiablv:

"Things are about to happen in the jFinehloy Road. Guess I'd better move 'iv that direction myself." [ So ho, going one better than James, ran out of the station, sprang into a motor-cab, and assured the driver that he might do some trick driving, having Scotland Yard, where the licenses come from-, to back him up. The, number of that motor was sent in next morning by four policemen on traffic duty, but the result was that Winter's deputy was posted outside Turner's Studios' many minutes before Conrthope's cab dashed up. } The further outcome of a whirligig of events was tftat a policeman who happened to stroll that way bora me suddonly very attentive when the quietlooking man signed to him not to be in a hurry. When James Courthope ai-rived, the haste which marked his movements at King's Cross had gone. He was placidly smoking. He alighted, told his cabman to pull up at the next corner, and crossed the road, heading straight for the policeman. In fact, James had determined on a bold course, which might be expected of him. Ho had not previously known Marjories address in London, leaving it to be discovered by a trusted vnlot at Edenhurst. He expeotod to lind it awaiting him at a West ftnd hotel, but Philip's presence in tlw> sumo train had upset all his plans, and it seemed more than probablo tho girl was living in these studios, as he had a vague memory of Hannah's references to her stater's earlier residence in that part of London.

j If Philip met Mai'jorio there might ho a joyous reconciliation. The molelike; burrowinga of a fortnight, the extraordinary good fortuno of the misunderstanding in the tower, would be undone. James smoked, pulled his Vandyke heard, and swore that this jthing should not he.

He tackled the constable with his usual air of courteous superiority, trusting to his wits to overcome the effect of his outer garments. "I suppose you nave read of the Hudston murder?" he said. "You will remember that a Yorkshire gerillemAn named Robert C'ourthope was found dead in a ruined church, with a duelling-sword planted in his heart?"

"Y — yes," admitted tho constable.

"Well, I 'am Robert Courthope's Cousin. You will koo that. lam wearing a thin disguise," and James threw open his overcoat, revealing, oven in the dim light of a lamp, that ho was hotter drosHod than was visihlo at it first glance.

"And what can I do for you, sirh" asked the othor, in a tone that told James he had made good his opening. As a matter ot tact, the policeman was wondering why the watching detective did not show any intent to join in the conversation. "I am naturally interested in the capture of my cousin's murderer. Do you recall his name?" "Yes, sir. A Mr. Warren— Philip Warren, that's it, a youngish man, kind of artist in style, well set up, walks with a long, free stride "Exactly. You see that cab coming along tho road? It it stops at Turner Studios, and a man of that description gets out, he is Philip Warren." '|You don't say!" exclaimed the policeman, stirred "by visions ot promotion, yet astounded that this prize should" bo left to his hands. "I am quite sure of it. Most iortunately I found you here; otherwise, I should have been compelled to dnvo to the nearest police station. ,'. >M!^as I prefer to remain out of the affair, don't take my word for it. Ask the man himseli if he is not Philip barren, and then form your own conclusions."

"By Jove!" muttered X 100, gazing covertly at his non-uniformed associate standing in the doorway ol a neighbouring house. So that explained the presenco of the Scotland Yard official! He knew, too. Indeed, as Philip's cab drew near, the detective strolled towards them. Above all things it was important that X 100 should act promptly. The constant feud between the wearers' of uniform and of plain clothes became a compelling spur. It was a glorious achievement to g» t ahead of the "Yard," though in this instance the "Yard" seome.d to be complaisant. If ho could arrest the mini concerning whoso extraordinary crime all London was talking a week ago, i1 would bo a whole bunch of leathers in his cap. Philip's cab was travelling fast, and there was not much time for rel lection. James knew when to keep his mouth shut. Ho only added a murmur :

"I have your number, and I shall not forget tho officer who secured that scoundre}, Warren." That was sufficient. Philip stood upright on the footboard, handed the, cabman some silver, and jumped dovm, to be accosted by a policeman with the demand : "Is your name Philip Warren?"

"Yes," he said. "Then I arrest, you for the murder of Robert Courthope, at Hudston, in Yorkshire. Better come with me quietly. Anything you may say " "Oil, go to the devil 1" cried Philip, wrathfully indignant that this stupid constable should interfere with him at such a moment. X 100 seized him by the arm.

"If you resist " he began, but, luckily for Philip, reason mastered just anger, or tho policeman might have been surprised by the strength in those square wrists. Philip swallowed something.

"There is no use in explaining matters to you," he growled. "Take me to a superior officer. And you need not handcuff me," he added, contemptuously. "You and I can go in 'bis cab. Come on! Bo quick! lam in a hurry."'

X 100 had not met this type of desperado during his career in the force, btit he sprang after Philip, bowled a direction to the amazed driver, and away went the cab.

James was not near enough to hear wha* passed. Ho expected to see a fight, was prepared even to witness tho discomfiture of tho policeman and its resultant excitement, and ho marvelled at the easy celerity with which he had attained his object.

He was puzzled, almost bewildered, but he was certain of one thing — Philip was safe in the hands of authority, and authority would not relax its grip without the best of reasons.

He drew a deep sigh of relief a;:d went to liij> waitiiMi; hansom, turning hi.s head twice to watch tho vanishing vehicle winch held his riv.'i!.

"Take me to tl;.* Pall Mall Hotel," he .said, "hut stop sil the first clothier's or second-hnnd clothes sliop yon come to."